“I want to talk with Geno (Evgeni Malkin). I want to get to know him,” Johnston said. “I think it’s a good thing for a player who he gets to meet his new coach on his home turf. I think it will be comfortable for Geno. It’s a chance for me to meet him, and for us to talk, and I think it’s important. When training camp comes, you don’t really get too much time to talk.”

It’s a bold step for Johnston to go to such lengths to meet and talk with your stars. Considering the pressure Malkin and Sidney Crosbyhave been under to bring another Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh, getting on the same page as them is a smart move.